Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Three-Seater Sofa
Located in Corby, GB
I have for sale the striking silhouette that is the Saratoga sofa, or the 'case' or 'cube' sofa, designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli, for Poltronova, in the early 1960s. All can be ...
Acrylic, Hardwood
1970's Yngve Ekstrom Style Fat Pine Framed Reclining Sofa with White Upholstery
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun 1970's, Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese style, pine sofa with large scale pine frame and original white textured upholstery. Small wheels on the piece make for easy movement! The frame...
Upholstery, Pine
Curved Banana Shape Loveseat or Sofa in Floral Wool, Denmark 1940s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Viggo Boesen style banana shaped or curved Loveseat made in Denmark, around late 1930s or early 1940s. This small sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round volup...
Wool, Beech
1960's Italian Mid-Century floral sofa
Located in Diest, BE
Superbe elegant Italian Mid-Century 1960's floral sofa. Great condition.
Metal
American Modern, Tropical Fabric, Monumental Custom Sofa, USA, 20th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
American Modern, Tropical Fabric, Monumental Custom Sofa, USA, 20th c. A large custom made sofa dressed in a tropical printed fabric. Having three removable seat cushions. Fabric, ...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s Created by renowned Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin circa 1960, the "Cubo" - or Cube - armchair is s...
Fabric, Plywood
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Curve Module, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Curve module Measures: W. 125 cm / D. 96 cm / H. 70 cm / Seat Height 42 cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules t...
Foam
American Designer, Sofa, Fabric, Wood, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and blue fabric sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.5"H x 96.0"W x 32.0"D Seat Height (inches): 16.5" Arm Height (inches): 20.25...
Fabric, Wood
$3,251Sale Price|20% Off
Tobia Scarpa "Coronado" Black Leather Sofa for B&B, Italy 1970 ca.
Located in Sacile, PN
Coronado sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The project is dated 1966. Black leather, great condition.
Iron
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern banana shaped sofa with curved armrests, made by Danish cabinetmaker in the earl...
Fabric
$22,709Sale Price|24% Off
Bogo Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate
By Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Modular suede and leather sofa 'Bogo' by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate. Italy, 1970 circa Measures: Lounge chair: 100 x 18...
Leather, Suede
Italian Designer, Sofa, Fabric, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered metal and white fabric sofa designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 36.75” H x 76” W x 35” D Seat height: 16.75”
Metal
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
De Sede DS-19 model 'Pagoda' modular Sofa in Cognac Leather
By De Sede
Located in Amsterdam, NL
High-quality modular Sofa DS-19, model 'Pagoda', designed by De Sede in the 1970s, Switzerland. Two corner elements that can be set up as a two-seater or as separate seating elements...
Leather, Foam, Wood
Vintage Italian Sofa by Giancarlo Pozzo, Walnut & Ivory Bouclé, 1951
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-Kind Commissioned Four-Seat Vintage Sofa by Giancarlo Pozzo — Italy, 1951. This exceptional, one-of-a-kind four-seat sofa was designed in 1951 by architect Giancarlo Pozzo f...
Steel
Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Very Rare. Priced for Reupholstery.
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare, Iconic "Oasis Sofa" designed by Edward Wormley and manufactured by Dunbar, 1950s. Super stylish curved design that's both functional and comfortable. This ultra rare example ...
Upholstery
1964 Original 932-Quartet Leather Sofa Sectional Mario Bellini for Cassina 2pcs
Located in Basel, BS
Move over, here comes the MEGA CULT CLASSIC, and Extremely rare Bellini that you can also sip Bellini's upon like a ROCK STAR! She is an absolute show stopper for any space... An ...
Leather, Canvas
Danish 1950's Sofa by Kurt Olsen Teak Accents
By Kurt Olsen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Curved sofa by Kurt Olsen from the 1950's. Epitome of Danish 1950's style. Made by Slagelse Møbelværk around late 1950's5800. Solid and sturdy but needs to get reupholstered. Remova...
Wool, Teak
The Bastiano 4seater sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1966
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in View Park, CA
The Bastiano 4seater sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1966. Hailing from the estate of multihyphenate artist and fashion icon Nadia Lee Cohen, this piece is not for ...
Bouclé, Wood
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Sofa and Loveseat Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A matching set, sofa and loveseat designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin in original Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera fabric. The channeled and flared arms hug the seat cushions. Ev...
Velvet
Mid-Century modern sofa attributed to Claudio Vagnoni, 1970s
Located in Paris, FR
A Mid-Century Modern style sofa attributed to Claudio Vagnoni, dating from the 1970s. . More than just a sofa, it's a design piece with enveloping curves. . A true signature piece,...
Fabric
Very Rare Cognac-Colored Leather Sofa by Jacques Brule, 1963s
By Hans Kaufeld
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This very rare sofa, designed by Jacques Brule and produced by Hans Kaufeld in Germany in 1963, is a remarkable example of mid-century modern design. The sofa features a distinctive ...
Steel, Chrome
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Tan Leather long loveseat Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful Tan leather long loveseat sofa with light wood legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Beautiful light beige cream tan leather is soft and shows little sig...
Leather, Wood
De Sede DS-88 Landscape Sectional Sofa in Cognac Tan Leather, Switzerland 1970's
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Introducing this gorgeous center piece Cognac Tan leather DS88 sofa in patchwork by De Sede. The sofa is sectional so it can be set-up in different ways to your own liking. The sofa...
Leather
Fantastic Restored Vintage Modern Rattan Three-Seat Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent sofa is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: meticulously professionally restored and completely Installation Ready. Expert custom upholstery service is available. An exceptional vintage modern three-seat sofa, circa 1950. Stout, expertly crafted rattan frame construction. Beautiful design and detail. The matching pair of loungers...
Rattan
DS-16 Cognac leather sofa by De Sede, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in New York, NY
DS-16 leather sofa by De Sede, Switzerland, dating from the 1970s.
Leather
American Designer, Large Sofa, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A large curved green fabric and wood sofa designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Seat height: 16”
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Sofa or Daybed designed by Miroslav Navratil, 1960s.
By Interiér Praha, Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- very iconic sofa - adjustable - confortable - rare colored
Fabric, Wood
Danish Midcentury 3-Seater Sofa in Solid Oak and Wool by Henry Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and sought after sofa attributed to Danish Designer, Henning Kjaernulf made from quarter-sawn white oak, Hand carved in brutalist style seeking inspiration from art & crafts...
Brass
Philippe Starck Privé Sofa by Cassina - Modern Leather Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Philippe Starck Privé Sofa For Cassina A family of elegant, comfortable seating options, ideally suited to any decor style, formal or informal, and any siz...
Leather
Carlo de Carli for Cinova Sofa in Tubular Steel and Light Brown Corduroy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo de Carli, sofa, steel, fabric, Italy, 1960s Sofa designed by Italian designer Carlo De Carli and produced by Cinova in the 1960s. The piece features a bent tubular steel frame...
Steel
Outdoor 'Virkelyst' 3-Seater Sofa in Teak and Honey Yellow Fabric for FH Outdoor
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Glendale, CA
Outdoor 'Virkelyst' 3-seater sofa in teak and honey yellow fabric for FH Outdoor Fritz Hansen's outdoor collection (originally Skagerak) emphasizes sustainability by using responsib...
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Michel Ducaroy Togo Modular Sofa Set by Ligne Roset
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
French Designer Modular Lounge Seating An iconic composition of modern seating design, this Togo modular sofa set designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset includes two separate el...
Suede
Italian Multi-Sectional Suede Couch by Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A bold and stylish Italian multisectional sofa upholstered in vibrant orange suede, manufactured by Roche Bobois. Featuring modular design for versatile seating configurations, clean...
Suede
De Sede DS-600 ‘Snake’ Sectional Sofa in Patinated Tan Leather by Ueli Berger
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS-600 ‘Snake’ Sectional Sofa in Patinated Tan Leather by Ueli Berger, Switzerland, 1972 An enduring icon of avant-garde furniture design, the DS-600 sectional sofa by Ueli ...
Metal
Danish Midcentury Sofa with Legs and Accents in Teak by Georg Thams Denmark 1957
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super cool and elegant sofa by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik. Designed and produced around 1957. Epitome of Danish 1950's style by one of the iconic designers. Solid and...
Wool, Teak
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery, circa 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery - Extra Long "you pick the fabric / make it your own" "current fabric is not the original fabric" "current fabric...
Upholstery
Mid Century Modern Josef Otmar Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Otmar
Located in Raleigh, NC
Exceptional mid-century modern gondola sofa by celebrated designer Josef Otmar, featuring his signature flowing lines and masterful woodworking. This stunning piece showcases the sc...
Upholstery, Walnut
New Linen Upholstery Three Seater Sofa Bamboo Sofa & Pair of Club Chairs MINT!
By McGuire, Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
New Linen Upholstery Three Seater Sofa Bamboo Sofa & Pair of Club Chairs MINT! sofa dimensions: 32" x 64" x 33" lounge chair dimensions: 32" x 27" x 33"
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan, Linen, Bamboo
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s
By Augusto Romano, Studio BBPR
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s. Requires reupholstery. We can upholster in COM - please enquire. Fast shipping worldwide.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Sofa by Jens Risom, Walnut Frame, 1955
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States. Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
American Designer, Sofa, Wood, Leather, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown leather sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. Very dramatic patina to leather. Dramatic patina on wood frame consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensi...
Leather, Wood
$4,490 / item
Zebra Patterned Upholstered Armchair, Model Miles
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Miles is a series of furniture designed by MER Arkitekter, a Stockholm-based architecture firm. Miles Armchair Boucle is an armchair characterized by its large cushions, rounded corn...
Spruce, Plywood
$15,254Sale Price|20% Off
Iconic Anfibio sofa by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti 1970
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Iconic 3 seater sofa/bed designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, 1970. The sofa is in original leather, very good condition, smaal sign of aging, small hole( about2 mm) in the...
Steel
Three-Seat Sofa Attributed to Franco Albini, 1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful three-seat sofa from 1940 attributed to Franco Albini in rosewood. The fabric used for the padding of the sofa Franco Albini is original of t...
Fabric, Walnut
Børge Mogensen Sofa 2212 Dark Mocha Leather by Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1970s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish vintage Børge Mogensen sofa 2 persons model 2212. It's upholstered with the original dark mocha colored leather, almost black. The legs are made of solid teak with oil treatm...
Leather, Foam, Feathers, Teak
$27,490 / set
Sofa by Tito Agnoli, 1969
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare set consisting of three armchairs and two corner elements was designed by Tito Agnoli for Arflex. The seating combination can be arranged in various ways. The dimensions ar...
Leather
$2,264Sale Price|57% Off
Mid-Century Orange Velvet Curved Sofa Made in Italy 1950s Wood Feet
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century orange velvet curved sofa made in Italy, 1950s
Velvet
Limited Edition Notturno A New York Sofa by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Notturno A New York sofa by Gaetano Pesce Manufactured by Cassina in Italy Limited Edition of 50 pieces DESIGN TRIBUTE TO THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS The New York skyline in a sofa,...
Fabric
Adrian Pearsall Walnut “Gondola” Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The vintage walnut "Gondola" sofa, designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the 1960s, is a stunning piece that embodies mid-century modern elegance. This model 2404-S fea...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Brown German 3-seat Modular Design Sofa Boucle, 1970s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This vintage modular sofa was made around the 1970s in Germany. It features 3 elements covered in brown boucle fabric. It is very comfortable with only minimal signs of wear, as show...
Fabric
Kazuhide Takahama Three-seater Sofa for Simon Gavina, Black Leather, 1965
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Kazuhide Takahama Three-seater Sofa for Simon Gavina, black leather, Italy, 1965 A study in proportion and restraint. Designed in 1965 by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, this th...
Steel
“Concha” Sofa in Plum Mohair Velvet & Hardwood, Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally rare and sculptural “Concha” sofa—named after the Portuguese word for shell—this piece represents a highly refined and seldom-seen expression of Brazilian modernism ...
Hardwood, Mohair
Marco Zanuso, Sofa, Velvet, Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in High Point, NC
A curved velvet and brass sofa designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex, Italy, c. 1950s. Seat Height: 15.5" All upholstered furniture can be reupholstered upon request for ...
Brass
Pair of Sofa Cassina Mario Bellini Black Skin Italian Design Minimal Razional
By Cassina
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of sofa Cassina Mario Bellini 1970s black skin Italian design minimal Razional.
Animal Skin
Brown Leather Sofa Karl Wittmann Atrium, Austria 1970
By Karl Wittmann, De Sede, Wittmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Brown leather bed- sofa Karl Wittmann‚ Atrium’ in original brown leather, Austria, circa 1970 Very well preserved convertible double-seat sofa by K...
Steel
Robert Haussmann for De Sede 'DS-P' Three-Seat Sofa in White Leather Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Robert Haussmann for De Sede, 'DS-P' sofa, leather, chrome-plated steel, Switzerland, 1960s The DS-P sofa designed by Robert Haussmann for De Sede, is a striking example of function...
Leather
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
Freeform Sofa by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra Design Museum
Located in Centreville, VA
Freeform Sofa Designer: Isamu Noguchi Design Year: 1946 Isamu Noguchi’s Freeform Sofa blends sculpture and function in a fluid, organic form. Inspired by natural shapes, its asymme...
Beech, Maple
Kanz Sofa Brown & Light Brown Striped (Set of 3) by Hermhaus–Modular Sofa
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
The Kanz Sofa by Hermhaus is a serene and contemporary modular sofa set, featuring elegant green and white striped upholstery that adds freshness and sophistication to any modern int...
Velvet, Wood, Oak
1980s Modular Ganging ELYSÉE Sofa Unit Sectional by Steelcase
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Steelcase
Located in Bensalem, PA
Great six piece Steelcase modular sectional sofa
Upholstery
Tito Agnoli modular sofa, Novemila 9000 Mod. for Arflex, original fabric, label
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Milano, IT
Modular Sofa "Novemila 9000" by Tito Agnoli for Arflex, 1969 An extraordinary example of Italian design from the late 1960s and 1970s, the "9000" seating system designed by Tito Agn...
Fabric, Wood